Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-06-18
Public Roads.

MIR. FDITOR.-The present road law
is openly and flagrantiy violated: ami
violations of it have been brought To
the attention Of the authorities whose
duty it IS to eufolreit. SO dead is IT,
scarcely any attentions is paid to it. :It
is surely a useless law though advocated
and sustained ly sOmerespected people.
Asa law abiding people 1t becomes the
authorities, who are The servants of Tile
pe0ple and hold tneir offices from ilieill,
first and OF t. citizens Of his county
next, To see that this law sritlier en-
forced or abolished and a different sys-
tenn adopted. The lust is lhe proper
course to most thinking and business
men, Our r0ltlS nOware almost entirely
neglected. with no REASON why it should
be so. The business done on them de-
mandS, in the interest of economy, that
that they should be let to contrict.-
They are getting expensive without
adequate return. Three Thousand eight
hundred, dollars with the prospect OF a
larger amount to he added this year, is
YEARLY expended on our roa Is with little
to show for it us a rule Simply because
those directing the work know nothing
of what it should cost. 1t is reported
about $3.50 are to be pro;'riated to
about one mile of MesSunGo Neck. We
do not sly the people there should be
compelled to use that road in lis present
tlpp!u1.,le condition. very far from it..
1t should be III condition for business at
all times us all other roadS-and TO be
}put III that condition and kept So at a
minimum cost. Our roads become
rough and full of holes because they are
moi pruperlydlained. if Ill tile water
could lt turned of after eac:i.laln they
would lie greatly improved. Tile holes
are cut when there Is Standing water,
and wheels and animals passing over
work it into nud-cuttng continually
deeper by constant stirring and working
down.
Ii our3OO miles of publ roads were d.
'vidcd into 20 sections, making 10 Mills
to each. put on contract. would on the
basis of $500. just referred Ia. give
each contractor $50. or Sl266S per
mile, Il sum amply sufficient worked
under individual responsibility to drain
all our rults and give enough money to
ill up all l.oles down the centre OF the
roads, making for us good business
roads, and put money i'll the pockets OF
all who use them-whetller for driving
or hauling. Money so spent will be much
more tn The point, and such all invest
ment will give far greater permanent
profit than the $500 now spent under
the direction of the court who las no
personal knowledge of localities and
ileir needs, and of tho viewers sent
from ore eud of the county to the other
to make allowances for the improvements
which from the nature OF the surround
inss must be extIavagnntlY pad Tor. -
Some improvements Of the public high
ways have bten made. AMI all who have
knowledge OF them a;e greatly l'lestscd
| Fer instance, would tile county, or he
town of Onancock , he willing To receive
back the money spent Oh its imp owe
lmentS, anti go back 10 the mud and mirt
of by gone G;:ys? Is there anyone who
regrets the bridging Of the streams and
| grading of hills at DrummondtowilT
DO tie people regret the money spent
OH the roads to Pitts Wharf, OF down
Gulford Ncck2 Is the opening OF The
road to Oak Hall station matter III re-
gret? Would any wish to stop the work
doing near Pungoteague9 No, Mr..
Editor. The men and beasts who tr;lv-
tlcd over the quagmires IF olden days
rejoice with exceeding Joy at the i'm
provemel.ts. II Il systematic plan is
ad rpted. and more of the good work is
done. it will be but III keeping with tllid
cuunty-so strong in men and means
1t would facilitate business, and in The
end save much money in expenditure di-
reclly on The roads. besides The saving
In damage to vehicles and teams, and
the Increased draught. 1t is time a
new system was adopted.
PROGRESS.